Hydraulic operating mechanism for valves



L. FARNHAIVI.

HYDRAULIC OPERATING MECHANISM FOR VALVES.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 6, I919.

3 SHEETSSHEET I- 7 memo lean arafm'rz 72mm,

WIT/V555 ES L. FARNHAM.

BYDRAULIC OPERATING MECHANISM FOR VALVES.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT- 6. I919.

Patented Jan. 4, 1921.

3 SHEETSSHEET 2- VITA/5555 L. FARNHAM.

HYDRAULIC OPERATING MECHANISM FOR VQALVES.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. s. 1919.

1,364,837. Patented Jan. 4, 1921.

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WIT/VEJSES mow,

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

- LEONARD FARNHAM, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

Application filed September 6, 1919.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, LEONARD FARNHAM,3. citizen of the United States, residing at New York city, in the county of New York and State of New York, have invented new and useful Improvements in Hydraulic Oprating Mechanism for Valves, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a hydraulic power apparatus and has for its primary object to provide an apparatus embodying principles of hydraulics for controlling the closing of valves according to predetermined timed intervals.

An object of the invention is to provide a mechanism for closing one or more valves a certain portion of which may be adjusted so as to regulate the time of closing of the valve after the apparatus has been set into motion.

Another object of the invention is to provide simple inexpensive means for generatin power for closing the valves.

l3esides the above my invention is distinguished in the combination of mechanical means for automatically closing the valve with an alarm for giving a signal just before or just after a valve is closed.

With these and other objects in view the invention will be better understood from the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view of a gas range showing my invention applied thereto.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged elevation of the invention.

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view.

Fig. A: is a cross sectional view.

Fig. 5 is a view of the parts applied to the stove, showing the same in position to operate the alarm and close the valve.

Fig. 6 is a side elevation of a modified form of my invention.

Fig. 7 is a detail sectional view.

Fig. 8 is a view showing how the magnet is attached to the valve operating rod.

Fig. 9 is a diagrammatic view.

Again referring to the drawings illustrating two of the many forms in which my invention may be constructed, the numeral 1 designates a cylinder provided with a vertically extending sight opening 2, contiguous to which is arranged a series of graduation marks 3 representing difierent time inter- Specifioation of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 4, 1921.

Serial No. 322,012.

1 vals. Arranged opposite the cylinder 1 is a container for the reception of any suitable fluid such as oil. The fluid in the container 4 may be rapidly passed into the cylinder 1 through a relatively large pipe 5 in which is arranged a valve 6. Also arranged to establ1sh communication between the container 4 and cylinder 1 is a relatively small pipe 7 in whlch is arranged a needle valve 8 for a purpose hereinafter described. I

Slidably mounted in the cylinder 1 is a plunger 9 of the proper wei ht and sue to slldably move in the cylinder 1 and force liquidtherefrom through the pipe 7 into the container 4: and besides perform work in the manner hereinafter described. Rigidly connected to the plunger 9 is a rod 10 moving exteriorly of the cylinder 1 in the movement of the plunger. This rod 10 is arranged to engage and depress a catch 11. For the purpose of accommodating the different degrees of travel of rod 10 the catch 11 has adjustably connected thereto a sleeve 12. This catch 11 is arranged to engage behind the hook shaped extremity 13 of a slidably mounted rod 14. This rod 14; has a pin and slot connection 15 with one or more valve handles 16 so that in the operation of the rod the valve will be operated. It will be noted that by providing a pin and slot connection between the valve handles and the rod each handle may be operated independently of the others, but all handles in a position corresponding to an open condition of the valves will be immediately returned to normal position upon movement of the rod. I I

This rod 4 is automatically forced in the required direction by a normally contracted spring 17 that encircles the rod and engages a stationaryabutment 18 and a collar 19 on the rod.- Arranged in the path of movement of the end of the rod is a push button 20 of the ordinary spring operated bell 21. It is of course to be understood that byvarying the time of en agement between the push button 20 and the rod the signal can be operated just before or just after the closing of a valve.

When using that form of my invention just described it Will be seen that when liquid is placed in the container 4: and the valve 6 opened the liquid will pass into .the cylinder 1 and raise the plunger 9 until the lower edge thereof comes opposite the proper graduation on the cylinder. When this takes place the valve 6 is immediately closed thus preventing further movement of the liquid. After this operation the sleeve is adjusted upon the catch so as to be arranged at the proper level for engagement with the rod 10. It is of course to be understood that the sleeve 12 may be dispensed with as certain parts may be fixed with relation to each other. As soon as the catch 11 is depressed the spring 17 expands for forcing the rod 14 in a direction to close the A valve and operate the alarm 21. The proper timing of the parts is accurately controlled by means of the needle valve 8 through which the liquid must pass from the cylinder 1 into the container 4 during the operation of the apparatus.

In the second form of my invention illus trated the apparatus is identical with that just described with the exception that I provide electrical means instead of entirely mechanical means for closing the valve and giving an alarm. In this particular instance the rod 10 is constructed to form one element of a switch the other element of which is in the form of spaced contacts 22 any one of which may be thrown into circuit by a plug 23. A conductor 24 has one terminal connected to the plug 23 while the other terminal is ground on the plunger in any suitable manner so that upon the rod 10 wiping one of the contacts that is in circuit a solenoid 25 will be energized and the bell 26 operated. This solenoid 25 cooperates with a plunger 26 rigidly connected to the rod 27 that is similar in construction to the rod 14 and is connected to the valve handle in the same manner.

From the foregoing description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, it should be apparent that I provide a simple substantial apparatus depending upon the gravitational action of certain elements for the closing of valves and in such a manner that the apparatus is very inexpensive to operate. It will also be noted that I provide two forms of apparatus one purely mechanical, the other relying upon electric energy to perform certain functions. It is of course to be understood that the apparatus may be constructed in various other manners and the parts associated in other relations, therefore I do not desire to be limited in any manner except as set forth in the claims hereunto appended.

What 1 claim is 2- 1. A hydraulic operating mechanism for valves comprising a cylinder, a plunger mounted for movement therein, means for passing a liquid into the cylinder and regulating the return flow therefrom and valve operating means actuated in the movement of the plunger.

2. A valve operating mechanism comprising a cylinder and plunger associated for relative movement and means set into action closing the valve and giving an alarm when said cylinder and plunger have a relative movement.

3. A valve operating mechanism compris ing an extensible fluid actuated device for operating the valve and means for passing a fluid to the device and accurately controlling the return thereof.

4. A valve operating mechanism comprising a cylinder, a plunger mounted therein, a fluid container having means to pass a fluid to the cylinder and accurately control the return of the fluid from the cylinder to the container and a valve operating means associated with said plunger.

5. A valve operating mechanism comprising a cylinder a plunger mounted therein, a fluid container having means to pass a fluid to the cylinder and accurately control the return of the fluid from the cylinder to the container and a valve operating means associated with said plunger, said means including a self propelled device normally under restraint.

6. A valve operating means comprising a graduated cylinder, a plunger mounted therein, a container for passing fluid to the cylinder below said plunger, a regulator controlling the return of the fluid from the cylinder to the container and valve operating means actuated upon the plunger reaching a predetermined position.

7. A valve operating mechanism comprising a graduated cylinder, a plunger mounted therein, a container for passing fluid to the cylinder, a regulator controlling the return of the fluid from the cylinder to the container and valve operating power means released so as to actuate a valve upon the plunger reaching a predetermined position.

8. A valve operating mechanism comprising a graduated cylinder, a plunger mounted therein, a container for passing a fluid to the cylinder below the plunger, a regulator controlling the return of the fluid to the container, valve operating means and a member arranged between said means and cylinder whereby said means will be set into operation to actuate said valve upon a predetermined travel of the plunger.

9. A valve operating mechanism comprising a cylinder. a member mounted for movement within the cylinder, spring operated means normally held under restraint for operating a valve and giving an alarm and arranged to be released by the member when the latter reaches a predetermined position.

10. A valve operating mechanism comprising an automatically operated rod for closing a valve, an alarm arranged in the path of movement of the said rod so as to be actuated thereby, a catch normally assumlng a position to prevent movement of the rod and hydraulic means adj ustably associated with the catch so as to release the same from the rod under predetermined conditions.

11. A valve operating mechanism comprising a power element normally under restraint, hydraulic means, a device connecting said means to said element whereby the latter may be released for operating a valve and an alarm device actuated in the move ment of said element.

12. A valve operating mechanism comprising in combination an alarm device, a rod connected to the valve to be operated and arranged to operate said alarm, a spring for moving the rod, an element normally holding the spring under restraint and means for releasing the spring from the element under predetermined conditions.

13. A valve operating mechanism comprising a slidably mounted rod having a pin and slot connection with the movable element of one or more valves, a spring for giving movement to the said rod, a catch for holding said spring in a contracted condition, an alarm arranged to be operated upon the rod reaching the limit of its travel, a cylinder, means for passing a fluid to and from the cylinder, a plunger slidably mounted in the cylinder and a device operated by the plunger for releasing the catch.

In testimony whereof I afiix my si nature.

LEONARD FARN AM. 

